The third phone to feature Verizon’s live TV service, the Z6tv is the first handset with an internal antenna. Telephone reception isn’t as good as on phones with pop-out antenna, but the phone is much less clunky.

Verizon’s $13- to $15-per-month TV service is the best of its kind. V Cast TV shows eight channels, at full frame rates, in full screen, playing audio through the phone’s speaker or a wired headset. The channels are mashups of CBS, FOX, NBC, Comedy Central, ESPN, MTV, and Nickelodeon programming- not live broadcasts but rather a “best-of” format that makes smart choice, like moving late-night talk shows into the prime morning commuting hours.

Phone performance is very good. Reception was excellent and volume acceptable on both the earpiece and the speakerphone. Besides that, the Z6tv offers plenty of other goodies, including Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camere, and a handy GPS receiver for use with Verizon’s $10-per-month VZ Navigator service. If want to take your TV with you and get a terrific phone in the bargain, the Z6tv is worth checking out.

Motorola MOTORIZR Z6tv Review
Price range: $379.99; $229.99 and up with contract

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